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Jim Mora talks injuries, offensive line and weight goals

– Running back Jordon James (ankle) and left tackle Simon Goines (knee) likely won’t play on Saturday at Arizona. Reserve running back Steve Manfro (ankle) is also not yet healthy enough to return.

Backup quarterback Jerry Neuheisel had surgery on his right thumb, and has had his hand wrapped all week. He will still be able to hold kicks, but not pass. Walk-on Mike Fafaul will likely sub in if Brett Hundley gets injured.

– Using three true freshmen on the offensive line isn’t ideal, but obviously bodes well for the long-term future of that unit.

“We’re building tremendous depth at that position, which is a position we need to have depth at,” Mora said. “The cupboard was pretty bare when we got here.”

Told of the placement, Mora quipped: “Scary because he’s ugly, or scary because he’s a good player?”

– Defensive end Ellis McCarthy has been playing the best football of his UCLA career over the past few weeks. He said recently, though, that he’s still trying to shed around 20 pounds eventually.

Mora didn’t seem as confident, laughing a bit when told of McCarthy’s goal of 290 pounds. The coach added that the sophomore usually tests right where he needs to in body composition, and may just be “big-boned.”

Hmm- think Arizona’s coaches are going to tell their D to put hats on Hundley? Hope the O-line protection is solid and Hundley doesn’t have to run much.

92104bruinfan

Mora re o-line: “The cupboard was pretty bare when we got here.” Yes coach, it certainly was. As bad as the quarterback play was prior to Hundley, the putrid pass protection didn’t help. Here’s to better depth now and in the future.

No Manfro and no James for Saturday night. Perkins, Jones, and Thigpen will have to be a 3-headed monster in Tucson.

Go Bruins!

EncinitasBruin

For CRN, “recruiting” was synonymous with “skill positions.”

LTEfan

Why did they even bother playing Jordan James against overmatched Colorado? His ankle apparently wasn’t ready, but he sure wasn’t needed.

Bruinbuff

Where is Woulard on the depth chart? Do they just not want to burn his redshirt or is he not looking good in practice?

92104bruinfan

Woulard is the heir apparent to Hundley and they presumably want to have 3-4 years available to him depending when Hundley decides to make himself available to the NFL draft. A future Asantii Woulard – Craig Lee backfield will be fun but plenty to left to accomplish this season. Go Bruins!

EncinitasBruin

All about the redshirt…

Bruin 34

Aliotti rises to the occasion again and costs Oregon a national title this time. What a douche! Oregon now knows how we felt. Quack Quack!

Tom Oday

You hang this loss on Oregon’s defense???

Bruin 34

Of course I do! Aliotti has been sheltered by Oregon’s offense. Albeit Oregon’s O didn’t help them last night. But they couldn’t get stops and get Stanford off the field. We held Stanford to 3 point in the first half and in check almost the whole game. Aliotti is a joke DC and the reason we didn’t win the first ever BCS!

EncinitasBruin

Aliotti. His defenses seem to fold in big games. I can remember one in particular where this was played out in spectacular fashion. Can’t believe the 15-year anniversary of Hurricane Miami is a month from now…

LTEfan

Yep, bad memory, not just the horrible defense but also the blown call when the refs failed to see that Danny Farmer’s knee was clearly down before that key fumble late in the game.

EncinitasBruin

That game was to UCLA what the loss to Vince Young and Texas was to SC–the beginning of a very dry spell. And if I’m not mistaken, it was Brad Melsby whose knee was down on the controversial non-fumble. No replay in those days….

Bruin 34

It was Brad Melsby that fumbled. Heartbreakingly enough they have a 10 min recap of the game on YouTube. Every time I watch it my heart breaks and I’m shocked as to how we lost that game. Oh yeah. Aliotti! Thanks!

Joe Blow

Why don’t you face it: our football team is NOT as great as you and everyone else thinks it is. I’m predicting at least 2 more losses.

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